fire

Firefighters fought to contain a fast-moving blaze on a private property near the New Providence Ecology Park that started after 8 pm on Monday.

The fire remained on the property of a scrap metal yard identified as Manpower Scrap Metal Yard near Jubilee Gardens, adjacent to the park.

Police Press Liason Officer ASP Audley Peters said it is not known what caused the fire, but there is possibility scrap metals may have stoked the blaze.

Though the massive fire has not claimed any lives nor residential properties, officials said they want to ensure it does not escape.

“We’re doing our best to contain it…We’re bringing in all assets available to ensure residents are kept safe,” Peters said.

He added that based on the size of the fire, it may take firefighters “a while” before it is brought under control.

The area Member of Parliament Don Saunders was also on the scene of the blaze monitoring the activity, hoping the blaze gets under quick control.

Saunders said he was keeping his parliamentarian colleagues and residents abreast on the progress made to contain the fire.

This area has been constantly plagued with fires as a result of refuse at the New Providence Ecology Park which was previously the New Providence Landfill.

However, since its transformation by the government, no fires have been recorded at the site.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources said it has contracted a private firm through the eProcurement Portal to clear and remove remaining debris from the waters surrounding the Potter’s Cay Dock following a recent fire that destroyed vending stalls.

Why it matters

Last week, vendors complained that government was “dragging its feet” and they were still awaiting assistance. The Ministry of Agriculture quickly responded, calling the claim “misleading” saying it met with vendors and representatives of both vendor associations on the morning following the fire to plan the way forward.

Days following the fire, aspiring political groups showed up on site, video taping their attempts to clean up the space.

The Ministry said, “Before the contract for the clean-up could be awarded and executed, the vendors along with outsiders, including political personalities, began clean-up of the site. Debris remains in the water behind the stalls and will be removed as a part of the clean-up exercise.”

The big picture

Six vending stalls and dilapidated boats were burnt during a fire at Potter’s Cay Dock on April 12.  The blazing fire occurred shortly before midnight, destroying buildings on the eastern side of the dock.

What the Ministry is saying

The Ministry is saying the contracted firm will also remove parts of structures that ended up in the water as well as appliances such as refrigerators and stoves.

The work began on Wednesday morning and is expected to be completed on Thursday.

Worthnoting

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Update: Police said its initial report of human remains being discovered in the building amidst the fire, is “unfounded.”

Human remains were found in an abandoned building Down Town, on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to a structural fire on Bay Street, extinguished the fire but discovered the remains of a body. Police have confirmed it is the remains is a human

Police are still on the scene of the fire at the abandoned building which is next to the Government Publication.

The recovery of the remains is shocking and an investigation is underway to identify the remains.

How the human remains got there, is also being investigated by the police.

One man is dead following a boat accident in Palm Cay, Yamacraw, after the boat ran aground, caught afire, and was left stranded in the vicinity of a private residence.

What is known

• The accident occurred after 12 pm.
• The adult men were returning from fishing to the marina when the boat stroke an object in the water.
• Three passengers were ejected, one was pronounced dead and the other passengers were rescued by a passing boat.
• The 40-foot contender caught afire when it ran aground, but the fire was extinguished by Royal Bahamas Fire Services.
• An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death regarding the one passenger found dead in the water.
• The rescued passengers were in their mid-to-late 50’s.
• They are said to be in “fair” condition having declined to be treated at the hospital.

Featured image: Eye Witness News